Ipswich Town are quietly enjoying an impressive transfer window ahead of their return to the Premier League. They’ve welcomed the likes of Daizen Maeda and spent big on the likes of Abdul Fatawu. But they’re not done yet. Next up could be World Cup winner Exequiel Palacios.
The midfielder is set to leave Bayer Leverkusen and is not short on interest. While injuries have hampered the Argentinian in the last two years, this is still a player who would bring a wealth of experience and ability to Gary O’Neil’s midfield alongside Sasa Lukic.
|
Ipswich Town’s summer signings 26/27 |
Position |
Previous club |
Approx. fee |
What they bring |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Emersonn |
ST |
Toulouse |
£24m |
Young, powerful striker with pace and long-term potential. |
|
Abdul Fatawu |
RW |
Leicester City |
£20m |
Explosive winger; pace, direct running and one-v-one ability. |
|
Florentino Luís |
DM |
Burnley |
£16m |
Defensive midfielder; ball-winning, positioning and physicality. |
|
Daizen Maeda |
FW |
Celtic |
£8m |
Pace, pressing and intelligent movement across the front line. |
|
Sasa Lukić |
CM |
Fulham |
£9m |
Experienced midfielder; energy, ball retention and defensive work. |
|
Issa Diop |
CB |
Fulham |
£8.5m |
Experienced centre-back; strength, aerial ability and Premier League experience. |
|
Kjell Scherpen |
GK |
Union SG |
£8.5m |
6ft 8in goalkeeper who provides presence and competition between the posts. |
|
Chuba Akpom |
ST |
Ajax |
£7m |
Experienced striker who offers a physical presence and penalty-box threat. |
|
Cédric Kipré |
CB |
Reims |
£2.1m |
Strong, experienced defender who adds physicality and depth. |
|
Kayne van Oevelen |
GK |
FC Volendam |
£3.4m |
Young goalkeeper with potential and long-term development value. |
|
Exequiel Palacios* |
CM |
Bayer Leverkusen |
Potential signing |
High-level midfielder who could add technical quality, passing range, experience and control. Ipswich have reportedly submitted an official bid, but he is not yet a confirmed signing. |
The Leverkusen man is certainly one to watch. With his time coming to an end at the German club, he looks set to leave with a place in their history, having won the Bundesliga in invincible fashion under Xabi Alonso in the 2023/24 campaign.
At 27 years old, Palacios is not past his peak quite yet, either. If he can stay fit, then he will prove to be an absolute coup for Ipswich, should they secure their deal.
Just last season, the midfielder made over seven recoveries per game and won possession 0.66 times in the final third. That just about sums him up. In Palacios, Ipswich would have an expert ball-winning star and that’s crucial for any newly-promoted side.
Ipswich submit ‘official bid’ to sign Palacios
According to Fabrizio Romano, Ipswich have submitted an ‘official bid’ to sign Palacios from Bayer Leverkusen. The 27-year-old is set to leave the German club and has interest from four other unnamed clubs in the Premier League and Bundesliga – sparking quite the race.
As things stand, however, it is Ipswich who have turned their interest into an offer and that could leave them in good stead as they look to land a World Cup winner.
The experience that Palacios would add to O’Neil’s side is truly invaluable, but his ability should not be forgotten. The midfielder breaks up possession better than most in the Bundesliga and is more than capable on the ball, completing more than 90% of his passes last season.
